New project Land/Lines asks young people to draw up a “creative response” to themes including the housing crisis and climate change, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

View of London's skyline from Botany Bay Farm in Enfield — View of London’s skyline from Botany Bay Farm in Enfield (credit James Cracknell)

Young people are being encouraged to learn more about the community’s relationship with land ownership through Enfield Council’s latest initiative.

The new youth project, called ‘Land/Lines’, will meet at Dugdale Arts Centre (DAC) in Enfield Town and is open to local people aged 18-35, with nine places available.

In the introduction to the project on the DAC’s webpage, residents are asked to question how the loss of community spaces, the housing crisis, structural racism and the climate emergency are “connected”.

Each member will receive £350 to make a “creative response” to the project’s themes, which will then be shared with the local community.

Workshops will run weekly on Thursdays from 15th January until 12th February, 5pm-8pm.

Each session will be headed by either artists, historians, growers, community organisers or activists, while a resident artist will work alongside the group throughout the project.

People who wish to join have to either complete a Google form by 9am Monday, 15th December, or send an audio or video application to the address listed in the application pack.

Explaining more about the project, Chinelo Anyanwu, the council’s cabinet member for culture and inclusion, said: “Our relationship with land and open spaces is not a conversation many young people are being included in, even though it plays an important part in shaping their future.

“This is why we have launched the Land/Lines project. The programme will offer young people the opportunity to learn more about protecting the spaces they love, community rights, and local history in creative ways.

“But most importantly, we want to equip our young people with the right knowledge so they can be confident in caring for public spaces that support the local community.

“From supporting initiatives like Enfield of Dreams or championing networks like Enfield Young Creatives, we are committed to providing young people with the best opportunities so they can achieve the best possible outcomes.”

For more information and to apply:
Visit Land/Lines: Creative Explorations in Land Rights

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